Most of the current developmental disability research focuses on childhood prevention and intervention. However, there is a substantial need for more research to focus on practical adaptation issues for adults with developmental disabilities. Working age individuals with developmental disabilities exhibit significantly lower employment, higher underemployment, higher “malemployment,” and higher job switching rates as compared to the general population. The current study aimed to investigate: (1) the past and current vocational and support experiences of the participants according to parent report (2) the participant outcomes as a result of engaging in an apprenticeship model employment program, and potential factors associated with outcomes (3) whether the novel “Secret Shopper” observational assessments are able to measure change in vocational skills. Data from the current study suggests that the apprenticeship model of employment as well as the Secret Shopper observational assessment are both promising, and in need of further study with a larger sample size. Parent interview data regarding past and current experiences of the participants in the program suggest 6 major themes: 1. With the right supports, difficulties associated with disabilities may be fostered into great benefits 2. Fierce and prolonged advocacy from parents 3. Greater independence in daily living activities 4. Previous positive work experience 5. Collaboration occurring between educational and vocational service systems, and 6. Unprompted negativity. Information gained from the current study provides this population, in desperate need of better supports, with preliminary information regarding the effectiveness of the apprenticeship model of employment for the greatly underserved population of adults with developmental disabilities.

Research suggests studying personalities of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) could give insight into the heterogeneity that exists within ASD. The present study aimed to: (1) determine the extent to which the Five Factor Model of Personality (FFM) and its facets account for variability in ASD symptomatology (2) verify differences in average FFM personality profiles of adults with and without ASD and (3) to identify distinct behavioral phenotypes that exist within ASD. A sample of 828 adults completed an online survey consisting of an autism diagnostic questionnaire (RAADS-R) and an FFM personality questionnaire (IPIP-NEO-120). Results indicate that IPIP-NEO-120 facet scores account for 70% of the variance in RAADS-R scores. Neuroticism positively correlated with RAADS-R scores, while Extraversion, Openness to experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness negatively correlated with RAADS-R scores. In addition, four distinct FFM personality subtypes emerged within adults with ASD based on k-means cluster analysis.